In the tradtion....

The Cougar Song
Brigham Young University
By Clyde D. Sandgren, 1932
Rise all loyal Cougars and hurl your challenge to the foe.
We will fight, day or night, rain or snow.
Loyal, strong, and true
Wear the white and blue.
While we sing, get set to spring.
Come on Cougars it's up to you. Oh!

Rise and shout, the Cougars are out
along the trail to fame and glory.
Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out
As you unfold your victr'y story.
On you go to vanquish the foe for Alma Mater's sons and daughters.
As we join in song, in praise of you, our faith is strong.
We'll raise our colors high in the blue
And cheer our Cougars of BYU.

I had hoped that it wouldn't hit me like this, but it has. I sorely miss Marching Band. Like, it's almost pathetic at the way I've been pining away for it the past few weeks. Granted, I had been looking forward to this week since the end of April, so it's no surprise that since my personal plans have changed like this that I would suddenly become indifferent to the vibrant life and thrill of donning a thick wool jacket and unflattering slacks and blowing your heart out on the smooth grass of LaVell Edwards stadium. Still, it's unsettling to me that as I whip up delicious smoothies and sandwiches inside an air conditioned building that I would long to be outside in loose-fitting attire and sweating after they tell us that we'll be "running through pre-game for the last time today" for the fifth time in a row... As I try my best to prepare myself to go out into the service of the Lord with all my heart and mind, I find that a large part of my heart is still inside my trombone, just bursting to escape into the Wasatch Mountains... I know that the Cougs will have a stellar season, & I had been looking forward to seeing David Tafuna in action (I helped him out in some of his classes last year as part of my job as a tutor at the SAB), and watching as they annihilate the much loathed Yewts, but I won't be doing that now. All I really want to see happen (other than many Cougar victories) is for my mission call to come sometime this semester. Not only do I need that to properly file a deferred enrollment, but I don't want to have missed this football/ marching season in vain. I love those bones, and even if they forget me, I'll never forget what those people have done for me.